Truss plate



April 4, 1967 G. A. KOENIGSHOF 3,312,485

' TRUss PLATE Filed May 5, 1961 n n wm' M M v BY j ,Do-awt, am as" 77ML@ ATTORNEYS United States Patent O poration of Delaware Filed May 3, 1961, Ser. No. 107,374 17 Claims. (Cl. 287-20.92)

This invention relates to -a nailing plate for connecting wood structural members and, more particularly, to a gusset plate for securing the joints of wood roof trusses.

Light weight wood roof trusses have become very popular in residential and similar type construction, since they eliminate the krequirement for load bearing interior partitions. Roof trusses also permit clear span construction, which is economically and `architecturally attractive.

The chord members land web members which for-m a truss are usually of the same thickness so that they tit together in the same plane. The joints between the structural members are secured by gusset plates which are nailed over each joint on both sides of the roof truss. Gusset plates are small, flat pieces of sheet metal, cut to an appropriate shape. For a particular joint, a standard gusset plate is used in several different sizes of trusses. Large trusses require mo-re nails in the joint than small trusses. To accommodate the different sizes of trusses, gusset plates are usually provided with a plurality of nail holes and it is the responsibility of the workman to use the recommended number of nails in the joint.

T-he location of nails is particularly important. If nails are placed too close to the edge of a member or too close lto the joint, splitting of the wood` will result. This, of course, weakens the joint. Since the number of nail holes in a plate usually exceeds the number of nails required in the joint, the workman must determine which n-ail holes will receive a nail. Each joint requires at least four nails and the larger joints require as many yas twenty or more, nails. With so many nailing operations, there is a tendency for the workman to become careless in positioning the nail-s in the plate, and splitting of the members often Iresults.

.Roof trusses are fabricated in jigs or xtures with precutwood members. A vmajor portion of the fabricating time is spent positioning and nailing the gusset plate-s. If the labor time for nailing the gusset plates could be reduced, the production rate for roof trusses could be increased and accordingly, the unit cost reduced.

One method of reducing the time required for nailing is to use an automatic nailing gun t-o drive the nails. A nailing gun will speed up the nailing operation, but it is diliicult to position the gun accurately yat the desired location on the gusset plate. Also, since the gun is actuated manually, the nails may be located inaccurately due to .the workers carelessness.

l Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to reduce the time required for nailing gusset plates over the joints of roof trusses.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a means for accurately locating nails in the gusset plates.

Another object of this invention is to provide a gusset plate which will accurately position and actuate a nailing gun to drive -a nail through the gusset plate.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, aseries of rows of embossed ridges composed of individual segments are provided on the surface of a gusset plate. Pins are embossed on the surface of the plate in a predetermined pattern corresponding to the desired locations of nails. The ridges form guides for a nailing gun. The trigger of the gun is mounted in position t-o be actuated by the pins in the plate.V When one of the pins actuates rafice the trigger of the nailing gun it drives a nail through the lgusset plate at the desired location.

This preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a View in side elevation of a roof truss having gusset plates at the joints.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a gusset plate made in accordance with this invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional View of the gusset plate along the line 3 3 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the gusset plate along the line 4-4 in FIG. 2.

A typical roof truss is shown in FIG. 1. Top chords 2 are joined together at one end. The opposite ends are spaced apart by a bottom chord 4. Compression members 6 and tension members 8 extend between the top chords 2 and the bottom chord 4 to distribute the stress in the truss. All of the wood members of the roof truss are yof substantially the same width. The heel joints 10, peak joint 12, bottom chord splice 14 and panel points 16 of the truss are secured by gusset plates through which nails are driven into the wood. Gusset plates are usually provided on both sides of a joint.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, a gusset plate, in accordance with this invention, is fabricated from a flat metal plate 18. Although metal is preferred, the plate 18 may also be molded from a hard plastic material. A series of lridges 20, each composed of a plurality of individual segments 21, are formed on the plate at spaced intervals along the length of the plate 18. Rows of pins 22 are also formed on the surface of the plate 18 and spaced uniformly from the adjacent Iridge 20. Nail holes 24 in the plate 18 are located adjacent to each pin 22. It is not essential that the gusset plat-e 18 be provided with nail holes. If the nailing gun which is to be used with the gusset plate is capable of driving a nail through the plate, then the holes may be omitted.

The ridges 20 are formed in discontinuous segments 21 for an important treason. Several of the joints in the truss are stressed in tension. Specifically, the heel joint 10 and bottom chord splice 14 are primarily tension joints and the gusset plates which secure these joints are stressed in tension. Referring to FIG. 2, if the ridges 20 were continuous -across the width ofthe plate, tension forces applied perpendicular to the ridges would cause the ridges to spread apart and unfold like an accordion ple-at. As the ridges spread apart, the gusset plate elongates. This elongation of the plates permits the joints to spread apart, -causing the truss to sag and to crack the plaster of the ceiling which is supported by the bottom chord 4. To overcome this problem and to resist elongation of the gusset plates under tension, ridges are formed in discontinuous segments. The ilat portion of the plate 18 between the segments 21 of the ridges 2t) resists the tension forces which tend to elongate the plate. The plates are -designed to have suiiicient space between the segments and suilcient plate thickness to resi-st the anticipated tension loads on the plates.

Automatic nailing guns have been in common u-se for many years. One type of automatic nailing gun is operated by a contact switch which actuates a nail driving ram. The contact arm of the switch is mounted adjacent the llead of the gun and projects downward to contact the workpiece. When the arm is moved away from the workpiece, for example by a projection on the workpiece, the switch is actuated by the arm. The closing of the contact switch energizes a Irelay to operate the'nail driving ram which drives a nail into the workpiece.

AA nailing gun, as `described above, may be used to drive nails through the nailing plate 18. The contact arm of the switch should be adjusted to ride on the plate and to close the switch when it rides over one of the pins 22. The head of the nailing gun rests against the plate and the ridges guide the head across the width of the plate. The pins 22, which extend upward from the plate 18, will move the contact larm of the gun to drive a nail when the nailing head is located over a nail hole 24 or at the predetermined location if the nail holes are omitted from the plate. Thus, nails can be driven through the plate at predetermined locations as rapidly as the nailing gun can ybe moved across the plate.

An important feature of this invention is that the location of nails with respect to the joints can be predetermined. Referring to FIG. l, there are several sizes and shapes of gusset plates which are used in fabricating a roof truss. vEach size and shape of plate is provided with holes and pins at locations which correspond with the joint in which it will be used. This prevents splitting caused by nails which have been driven too close to the joint or too close to the edges of the member. This also eliminates the necessity of drilling an excessive number of holes in the plate to accommodate several diiferent sizes of joints. In the smaller trusses only a few of the holes are used and the extra holes weaken the plate. Since the pattern of holes in the plate of this invention are predetermined, no unnecessary holes weaken the plate.

The pins on the gusset plate 18 have been omitted from the area adjacent to a line between the scribed marks 26 on the plate. This line represents the slope of the top chord 2 with respect to the bottom chord 4. When the plate is properly applied to the joint, the line 26 on the gusset plate will lie directly over the joint between the topiand bottom chords. The gusset plates which are secured to the joints, as shown in FIG. 1, are scribed with guide lines similar to those shown in FIG. 2, but conforming to the configuration of the particular joint. Instead of the lines 26, notches, holes or other means could be used to `align the plate with the joint. The guide lines 26 assist the workman in locating the plate over the joint, and to insure that the plate will be properly spaced from the ends and edges of the Wood members.

This invention eliminates defects in the joints of roof trusses caused by the workmans errors in determining the location of nails in the gusset` plates. The pattern and location of nails are determined by the plate itself, thereby permitting the workman to fabricate a truss rapidly and accurately.

The gusset plates may be supplied in many different sizes and shapes for the fabrication of a variety of roof trusses. The plate for a particular joint may be adapted to be used for a range of sizes and shapes of trusses by merely changing the pattern of pins 22 on the plate and the location of the guide lines 26. The relationship between the ridges 20 and the pins 22 are the same for each type of nailing gun, so that different sizes and shapes of gusset plates can be driven by the same nailing gun.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in one embodiment, lit is recognized that variations and changes may be made therein, without departing from the invention as set forth in the claims.

I claim:

1. A gusset plate adapted to be used with a nailing gun comprising a plate, means on the plate for guiding the gun across the plate along a predetermined path and means` on the plate for actuating the nailing gun, -at a predetermined location on the plate to drive a nail through the plate.

2.. A gusset plate adapted to be used with a nailing gun comprising a plate, a plurality of ridges on the plate for lguiding the gun across the plate along predetermined paths and pins on the plate in position to actuate the nailing gun at predetermined locations on the plate to drive a nail through the plate, said ridges being arranged in substantially parallel relation with adjacent ridges, said pins and said ridges being integral with said plate.

3. A gusset plate `adapted to be used with an automatic nailing gun comprising a plate, ridges each composed of individual embossed segments extending above the surface of the plate for guiding the gun across the plate and means on the plate spaced from the ridges for actuating the nailing gun to drive a nail through the plate.

4. In a gusset plate for securing together a joint in a wood roof truss, the improvement comprising means on Vthe plate for guiding a trigger-operated nailing gun across the surface of the plate and a pin extending above the surface of the plate to engage and operate the trigger of the gun.

5. In a gusset plate for securing together a joint in a wood roof truss, the improvement comprising ridges on the plate for guiding a trigger-operated nailing gun across the surface of the plate 'and means on the plate spaced from the -ridges for operating the trigger of the gun to drive a nail through the plate at a predetermined location.

6. A gusset plate for securing a joint of a roof truss comprising a flat plate, ridges on the plate for guiding a nailing gun across the surface of the plate, pins at spaced intervals on the plate for actuating the nailing gun at predetermined locations on the plate, said ridges extending in substantially parallel relation from adjacent one edge to adjacent the opposite edge of said plate, said pins projecting upwardly from said flat plate surface and being arranged in rows extending substantially parallel to said ridges, the remainder of said plate surface being substantially unobstructed to a1- low a nailing gun to be guided yalong said ridges and into engagement with said pins, and means on the plate for aligning the plate with the joint.

7. In a roof truss having wood members arranged in coplanar relation and having a joint therebetween, fastening means over the joint for securing said members together comprising: a plate on one side of the truss and extending on opposite sides of the joint, means for fastening said plate to said members, means adjacent said fastening means for actuating the trigger of a nailing gun, said actuating means being arranged in alignment across the plate and being spaced on opposite sides of the joint whereby the plate operates a nailing gun to drive a plurality of fastening means through the plate and into the wood members on opposite sides of the joint at predetermined locations.

8. In a Iroof truss having wood members arranged in coplanar relation and having a joint therebetween, fastening means over the joint for securing said members together comprising: a plate, nails extending through the plate and into said members, a plurality of pins projecting above the surface of the plate, each of said pins being adjacent a nail, said pins being arranged in alignment and spaced from each other and spaced on opposite sides of said joint whereby the plate operates a nailing gun to drive a plurality of nails through the plate and linto the wood members on opposite s-ides of the joint at predetermined locations.

9. In a roof truss having wood members arranged in coplanar relation and having a joint therebetween, fastening means over the joint for securing said members together comprising: a plate, nails extending through the plate and into said members, la plurality of pins projecting above the surface of the plate, each of said pins being adjacent a nail, said pins being arranged in rows and spaced from each other and spaced on opposite sides of said joint whereby the plate operates a nailing gun to drive a plurality of nails through the plate and into the wood members on opposite sides of the` joint at predetermined locations.

10. In a roof truss having wood members arranged in coplanar relation and having a joint therebetween, fastening means over the joint for securing said members together comprising: a plate, nails extending through the plate and into said members, a plurality of pins projecting above the surface of the plate, each of said pins being adjacent a nail, said pins being arranged in rows extending across the plate, said pins `adjacent said joint being spaced a greater distance apart from each other in said rows than said pins remote from said joint, rand a plurality of ridges extending across said plate surface from adjacent one edge to adjacent the opposite edge of said plate, said ridges being substantially parallel to each other and to said pin rows, whereby the plate operates a nailing gun to drive a plurality of nails through the plate and into the wood members on opposite sides of the joint at predetermined locations.

11. In la roof truss having wood members arranged in coplanar relation and having la joint therebetween, fastening means over the joint for securing said members together comprising: a plate on one side of the truss and extending on opposite sides of the joint, means for fastening said plate to said members, means adjacent said fastening means for actuating the trigger of a nailing gun, said actuating means being arranged in alignment across the plate and being spaced on opposite sides of the joint, ridges on said plate extending along said actuating means and spaced therefrom, said ridges having discontinuous embossed segments, whereby the plate operates a nailing gun to drive a plurality of fastening means through the plate and into the wood members on opposite sides of the joint at predetermined locations.

12. A truss plate for securing a joint of a roof truss comprising a plate, a plurality of actuating means on said plate, said actuating means being arranged in rows, actuating means in one portion of each row being spaced a greater distance from each other than other actuating means in other portions of lsaid row whereby la nailing gun is triggered by said actuating means to drive nails at predetermined locations.

13. A truss plate for securing a joint of a roof truss comprising a plate, a plurality of pins on said plate, said pins being arranged in rows, means on said plate indicating the desired position of said plate relative to said joint, `said pins adjacent said indicated joint position being spaced apart a distance greater than said pins remote from said joint position, Iand discontinuous ridges on said plate along said rows whereby a nailing gun is guided across the plate and is triggered by said pins to drive nails at predetermined locations remote from said joint.

14. A method of forming a joint in a wood roof truss having coplanar members comprising assembling said members with a joint between adjacent members, applying a truss plate over said joint, said plate having means for actuating a nailing gun yat predetermined locations relative to the joint and means for guiding `said gun across the plate, moving a nailing gun across the plate, said gun having a trigger in position for actuation by said actuating means to drive a nail adjacent each actuating means whereby said truss members are joined b-y a truss plate in which the nails are driven through kthe plate in a predetermined pattern.

15. The method according to claim 14 wherein said gun actuating means includes a plurality of projections arranged in a row across said plate, said gun moving being directed along said row.

16. The method according to claim 14 wherein said plate has a ridge extending across said plate, said gun actuating means including a plurality of projections arranged in a row parallel to said ridge, including the steps of placing said gun on `said plate adjacent said ridge, and moving said gun along said ridge for actuating said trigger by said projections.

17. The method according to claim 16 wherein said ridge extends from adjacent one edge of said plate to adjacent the opposite edge and including the step of maintaining ysaid gun in engagement with said plate surface continuously while moving along said ridge from said one edge to said opposite edge.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,726,419 12/1955 Saks et al 2072 X 2,915,754 12/1959 Wandel l106 2,937,418 5/1960 Sanford 20-92 2,955,291 10/1960 Hansen 1-60 3,004,261 10/ 1961 Medal et al 1--60 3,094,748 6/ 1963 Sanford 85-13 FOREIGN PATENTS 53,767 4/1921 Sweden.

FRANK L. ABBOTT, Primary Examiner.

JACOB L. NACKENOFF, HENRY C. SUTHERLAND,

GRANVILLE Y. CUSTER, JR., Examiners.

D. H. SWITZER, I. L. RIDGILL, Assistant Examiners. 

6. A GUSSET PLATE FOR SECURING A JOINT OF A ROOF TRUSS COMPRISING A FLAT PLATE, RIDGES ON THE PLATE FOR GUIDING A NAILING GUN ACROSS THE SURFACE OF THE PLATE, PINS AT SPACED INTERVALS ON THE PLATE FOR ACTUATING THE NAILING GUN AT PREDETERMINED LOCATIONS ON THE PLATE, SAID RIDGES EXTENDING IN SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL RELATION FROM ADJACENT ONE EDGE TO ADJACENT THE OPPOSITE EDGE OF SAID PLATE, SAID PINS PROJECTING UPWARDLY FROM SAID FLAT PLATE SURFACE AND BEING ARRANGED IN ROWS EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO SAID RIDGES, THE REMAINDER OF SAID PLATE SURFACE BEING SUBSTANTIALLY UNOBSTRUCTED TO ALLOW A NAILING GUN TO BE GUIDED ALONG SAID RIDGES AND INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID PINS, AND MEANS ON THE PLATE FOR ALIGNING THE PLATE WITH THE JOINT. 